All posts by G. Gordon Gritty

CD Review, Music

CD Review: Welcome New Machine [2011]

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Band: High Tension Wires
Release: 3/2011
Label: Dirtnap Records

1. “Get Weird” – A
2. “Incorporeal – B+
3. “Backbone” – A
4. “Temporary Gods” – A-
5. “Subprime Love” –  B+
6. “Lose Your Grip” – A-
7. “Lose Face” – A
8. “The Universal People’s Church” – A-
9. “Handicapped Hearts” – A
10. “Dirt, Fist, Feet” – B+
11. “I’m Too Square You’re Too Round” – A-
12. “The Secret of the Hydrogen Bomb” – B+

Comments: From the opening bass line and drum beat of “Get Weird”, you might mistake High Tension Wires for a major dance-punk band. The song is noisy, but quite groovy at that. Same goes for “Backbone,” which basks in power-pop greatness. The verses got that damn infectious drum beat and the chorus and break, of course, are the two-tier icing on the cake. High Tension Wires are definitely one of the more catchy garage/punkers out there and I think part of this stems from the short length/no bullshit tunes. Guitar solos don’t overstay their welcome and uncomplicated instrumentation dominates. Recommended!

Grade: A- (90)

CD Review, Music

CD Review: Don’t Be So Cruel [2011]

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Band: Something Fierce
Release: 4/2011
Label: Dirtnap Records

1. “Don’t Be So Cruel” – B+
2. “What We Need Now” – A-
3. “Future Punks” – B+
4. “Afghani Sands” – A-
5. “Before You Raised the Gun” – A-
6. “When You Hurt” – A-
7. “Ghosts of Industry” – A-
8. “Aliens Two” – A
9. “Bad Choice” – A-
10. “On the Backroads” – A
11. “Dying Young These Days”- A
12. “Empty Screens” – A [LINK TO LISTEN]

Comments: Something FIERCE do what they do well. They play music. Music that I’ll describe as mid-range punk rock with many an eccentrically catchy melody. Nothing real heavy, nothing real wimpy. Weird comparison time: the vocals are sometimes (and I say this because the music is quite different) comparable to that of MGMT vocalist Andrew VanWyngarden. In other words, they stand out…for more so than the typical punk singer! The tunes often take on different shapes with “Afghani Sands,” for instance, in the mold of Mission of Burma era post-punk, “Ghosts of Industry” as a combo of modsters The Jam and power-pop/punk greats Exploding Hearts, and “When You Hurt” in the mold of ’70s pop-rock. The whole album is amassed with very satisfying tunes, but things really start picking up on the B side. I would say things are pretty more straight killa no filla and often this is how I enjoy my rock ‘n’ roll. Side note: Dirtnap has been on a tear lately with awesome releases!

Grade: A- (91)

Website: http://www.myspace.com/somethingfiercehouston

Black Lips, Handsome Furs, Music

Show Recommendations: Wednesday, April 13

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BOSTON: Handsome Furs @ Great Scott. The Handsome Furs, Dan Boeckner and wife Alexei put on an excellent show. Last time they were here (July 2009), a drunk fat guy made his way on stage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhscEoPA8cU. That wasn’t the highlight, though. “What About Us” off their upcoming album Sound Kapital (June, Sub Pop) was just released and you can check it out here: http://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Handsome_Furs_-_What_About_Us.mp3.

RHODE ISLAND: Black Lips @ The Met, Pawtucket. Not much more needs to be said. I’m excited to hear some of the new Arabia Mountain songs live and just as excited to hear all the oldies that simply never get old. If you haven’t seen Black Lips and live in Rhode Island, Southern Mass, Central Mass, whatever…you have to go! You’ll be missing out big.

CD Review, Music

CD Review: Tomboy [2011]

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Musician: Panda Bear
Release: 4/2011
Label: Paw Tracks

Comments: Lost a big write-up I just did! Not going to dwell on it…has happened before and will happen again. GREAT TUNES: “You Can Count On Me,” “Slow Motion,” “Last Night at the Jetty,” and “Alsatian Darn.” Not as spectacular as Person Pitch — this has some tunes that simply aren’t as strong as the very best — but Panda Bear does tend to impress when he changes things up in-song. He’s always been good at that.

Grade: B (84)