With the aid of Soulseek, I made a few very impressive discoveries. Here they are:
The Russian Futurists - Let's Get Ready to Crumble Very catchy one man operation. Think Flaming Lips, Jane's Addiction and early Spectrum (Sonic Boom). Yeah that's right, Spectrum. Very cool stuff.
The Meeting Places - Find Yourself Along the Way The few songs I've heard totally sucked me in. Slowdive sounding guitars, unfolding layers of sound a la SouthPacific and of course the whiny breezy vocals. Definite dreampop.
Dykehouse - Midrange So late 80's / early 90's. So many influences I could name; Chapterhouse, Ride, Curve and all the other shoegaze/dreampop mainstays. Hazy, breezy and nostalgic. Best lyric: 'Now I'm chain smokin' cuz my heart's broken, yeah it's true I still need you. / And it's hard drinking that keeps me from thinking that's its through between me and you.'
Some other bands I've been listening to a lot lately:
On!Air!Library! - hazy, dark electro-guitar mix, female/male vocals layered over shimmering guitars. Think Lush and Medicine. Album is a little uneven, but worth a listen.
The Album Leaf - their new album, In A Safe Place, is absolute genius.
Auburn Lull - Cast From the Platform is sheer beauty. A perfect follow-up to Alone I Admire.
Secret Machines - anyone who has not heard their album, Now Here Is Nowhere, is really missing out. It will easily make it to my top 10 of 2004. Incredible album. I'm seeing them next week and can't wait. I've been reading that they're the best live band right now.
Ulrich Schnauss - I've been listening to his work since last year and it just keeps getting better. It's total shoegaze/electronica/bliss- out music. He was supposed to make his American debut tonight in NYC but due to problems with his visa or something, he had to cancel. Bummer.
Blonde Redhead - Misery is a Butterfly is so friggin' good
Anyway, that's it from me for now. Man, it's good to talk about music again.
J. Roth
"All the best things in life fuck you up the most, whether it's lovesickness or drugsickness." - j spaceman