New Rock Reviews – Mid March 2014

Quailbones — Lord Dion’s House of Discovery 7” – Self-released

Glorious lo-fi and wild punk-pop-garage-psyche!  Could we call it some form of post punk?  Three tracks on this 7” and each one is a trip in itself.  Seriously, this is some wild, wild stuff.  There is no comparison, so just imagine the most blissed out 7” ever.  Unique! (4.8 out of 5)

Kid Icarus / Cold Coffee – Split 12” – Summersteps Records

This sweet split features two stunning bands.  Cold Coffer offers up a very genre-shifting set, ranging from Primal Scream styled pop to psyched out garage rock, hitting every sweet spot in between.  This is something I’m going to spin a lot, trust me.  Solid from start to finish and fresh every step of the way.  Kid Icarus offers up a sweet dish of garage-pop-indie rock bliss that I fell in love with after just two tracks.  Seriously, where has this been for so long?  This is really good!  I would say this split is a good intro to both bands if you’ve not heard of either of them before, and it’s a good way to uncover a little bit about what the label is like as well.  Sweet!  Thank you, Summersteps!  (4.7 out of 5 as a whole)

The #1s – Sharon Shouldn’t 7” – Alien Snatc! Records

Dublin’s own holds their own.  70s styled power pop punk rock at its finest with a modern spice that’s addictive.  Seriously, I don’t know why I am so surprised at how killer this single is, coz like, after all, this isn’t the first time I’ve heard their material.  Just so damn catchy, engaging and fun.  Love it! I wnt a physical copy!  (4.8 out of 5)

Cars Can Be Blue – Trace the Tension – Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records

Our good friends from HHBTM have returned with this rocking gem on both LP and CD for your listening pleasure.  Here’s a trio of dirty punk pop goodness fronted with female vocals that are just oh so perfect!  This new offering features fourteen tracks, each one letting out a wild vibe unlike anything else out there.  It sounds like a mixture of a wilder Breeders, Dead Milkman, and the Muffs, right on the money, I’d say.  Sweet stuff!  I want more from this band!  (4.8 out of 5)

Fixing Bayonets – Goodbye Wisdom – (Self-Releaseed)

Here’s a single from the band’s upcoming EP, which will be titled “Bloom Sunset Horizon.”  This is a glorious dreamy rock oriented haze, fusing pop-rock elements with indie bits and a dash of retrofuturism.  Some folks have drawn comparisons to Jesus and the Mary Chain and Ride, and I can totally see that.  I’m psyched for the new EP, so it better come out soon!

Krautzone – Kosmische Rituale –Sulatron Records

True to the band’s name, Krautsone create something purely magical. Poised neatly in outer space somewhere between kosmische/krautrock, psychedelic rock, this mega force is something to be heard.  Presented here are three LONG tracks to get completely lost within, each touching at hints of ambient, space rock and put you somewhere in the space between the inner most parts of your soul and the deepest reaches of space.  Fans of Electric Moon, Pink Floyd, early Tangerine Dream, early Kraftwerk, Zone Six and Sula Bassana’s solo material will fall in love with this.  This is the debut album for this project and its thus far available on limited edition vinyl…. I WISH I had a physical copy of this.  This would be stellar on vinyl! (5 out of 5 – KEEP ME PLUGGED IN!)

The Matchsellers – See the Light – Self-released

Following up on the release of their first EP, the band moves into a gospel direction.  The sound here is similar to their debut but its refined and bold, mixing classical Americana elements into gospel themed tunes.  This is a very mature sounding album and will please fans who are looking for something fresh on the folk front. Solid perfection! Can’t wait for the band’s next release for sure! (5 out of 5)