Ungdomskulen - Touch Down

Latest single from the wonderfully weird Ungdomskulen of Norway.  This single has been out since January, but I haven't been able to find out much about a new album/EP to go with it...can assume one is on its way soon.  Can get the single at iTunes or Spotify (everyone uses that right?) or check out the video below.

Fura - Mutandis

Newest release from Spain's Fura, their first album since 2013.  I was already a fan from their last instrumental self titled album, but to me 'Mutandis' is leaps and bounds ahead in terms of progression.  Their song writing, technical ability/musicianship, and really the overall production of this album is completely refreshing for a band that already was bringing something new to the table.

The album is up on Bandcamp for name your price, so show some support if able.  So far one of my favorite releases of 2017.  And once again the cover art is rad.

Scattle - Sketch

Jesca Hoop - Memories Are Now

NPR is streaming the new Jesca Hoop album 'Memories Are Now' set to release on Feb. 10th.

withdrawal - EP

Jason (bass/vocals) of the now-defunct withdrawal sent me an email telling me about an EP they mastered and "released" in June 2016, featuring six songs that showcase more of the direction the band was heading in before disbanding.  

Compared to their full length ('The Perfectionist Blacklist'), these tracks are more mellow, highlighting a side of the band that was seldom heard, though they still pack an occasional jab with the punchy vocals that permeated the LP.  My personal favorite and in my opinion best blending of these two styles is the track "The Spies of the World", which features stylish and subdued verses that give way to anthemic choruses.  The instrumentation is solid on these throughout, with my only semi-gripe being a vocal phrase on one of the tracks that sounds ripped line for line from an old Weezer track (you'll probably know it when you hear it), whether intentionally or not.  Either way I appreciate Jason passing these along to me and you, as the good far outweighs the bad.

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Goon - Dusk of Punk

Goon is the mind-child of Kenny Baker (^center), who wrote/recorded/mixed and even painted the creation of EP 'Dusk of Punk'; Caleb Wicker assisted with 'br00tal' guitar on tracks "Gay Rage" and "Merchant Hall", the latter of which is also assisted vocally by Teddy Bresson.

Musically this sounds like what you might expect from a young garage band in LA -- with windows letting in a good mix of sunshine and pollution.  Even though the album is very much DIY with that garage/alternative aesthetic, it doesn't sound like the mic was wrapped in a blanket, nor does it really adhere to one specific ongoing sound.  The middle two tracks (mentioned above) are a prime example, also of which seemingly "justify" the name of the EP (read: they're punk-y/grunge).  This is probably a result of adding more musicians, of which I might argue he should have those dudes stick around.  This isn't to say Kenny doesn't stand as well solo -- in fact I enjoy the opening track "Dizzy" as my personal favorite...it sounds like an alternative blast from the 90's that should readily make its way into some car commercial for a hybrid driving on a beach.  Or something.

I believe this is their first official release, but either way a grand introduction to a group that should have a prosperous future.  Check out their bandcamp to score a cassette/CD/shirt.

Deathspell Omega - The Synarchy of Molten Bones

The band has no official band photos so blame pinterest if these are just four dudes

France's Deathspell Omega are kind of the go-to answer for anyone looking to get into current/latter iterations (2nd/3rd-generation, whatever) of black metal -- they do it and they do it well, to the point that any song of theirs can be identified by insane drumming and generally a cacophony of evil that separates them from anyone else doing it.
I became a late fan with their 'Paracletus' album, and admittedly the following 'Drought' EP didn't grab me quite the same.  Regardless, their latest full length 'The Synarchy of Molten Bones' is a fast favorite among their discography, something Deathspell fans would probably admit is a blending of their earlier work and production values of 'Paracletus'.  The compositions are seemingly way more complex, at times to the overall detriment of conventional thinking of songs with your hand held from transition A to B.  Instead, the listener is bombarded with 4 pulverizing songs that shift and swerve, only coming down from the chaos during brief harmonization/synths at the beginning and end of the album; everything in between is an all out assault that's so calculated it's easy to get stuck on an individual instrument or voice and surrender to its unwavering madness.

Bandcamp/Support