Pond - Beard, Wives, Denim

Think TV On The Radio meets Tame Impala.  Australia's Pond is a musical collective featuring an ever-changing line-up actually including three members of said Tame.  Last month they delivered a brand new album entitled Beard, Wives, Denim.  It's "an audio diary of ten friends' strange, terrible and blissful time in the country trying in vain to be a wholesome family band. It sounds just like it, distorted and woozy and fractured and ultimately nostalgic and loving."

Pond - "Moth Wings"

In 2010, at a friend's farmhouse in Eagle Bay, Western Australia, Pond piled in with all their instruments, amplifiers, friends, recording equipment and Sam Ford to record Beard, Wives, Denim.  After two weeks of Lord of the Flies-esque bonding with frisbee and guitars and absolutely no religion or wood chopping or wives or beards, the album was finished.

Arches - "Nowhere To Go"

Arches - "Nowhere To Go" 

"Nowhere To Go" is from the EP Enough released in late December.    

There’s no denying it: Arches is a product of the Age Of Reverb. You hear it in the mellow ebb-and-flow of the music and the twinkling (but tricky-to-nail) vocal harmonies. It’s there in the reverb, obviously, and the overall vibe of a ’50s slow dance being held in a vast cavern. 

Via The Key

The Daylight Braves - Liquid Sun

The Daylight Braves are an Adelaide (Aussie) four piece whose guitar-driven pop, psychedelic and blues sound draws on various influences from the 60's and 70's, with the most apparent ones being The Smiths, Bob Dylan, and The Doors.  This very new band put out six tracks in mid-August, including "Summer at Last" and "Red Strip," check out the entire Liquid Sun EP on their bandcamp page.

"Great swirling guitars and driving rhythms. Psych-rock as it should be."

Unknown Mortal Orchestra

As predicted here back in late April, Unknown Mortal Orchestra's entire debut album lives up to its expected catchy and gritty lo-fi sounds.  Released June 21, UMO is now on tour with the more established likes of Yuck and Toro y Moi.  "Bicycle"

The self-proclaimed "tour de force" initially conceived by New Zealand native, Ruban Neilson, has relocated to Portland, Oregon and "bring break-beats together with 60’s/70’s Beatles sounding pop harmonies and a minimal Krautrock rhythm section." 

It's the perfect album for the dog days of summer; a near certain for inclusion on the troysnoise Summer playlist, release forthcoming.

June Hunters

"We are June Hunters, the lost children of an eternal summer. This is a rite of youth."

"In the summer of 2010, when the weather was too hot and Moscow was choking from the thick smog, musician Leo Vasilets was busy searching for some people to play in his new electro-pop project. But instead of three young men, he ran across a rather strange guy called Sergey - and a mysterious drummer by the name of Natalia. Both of them were into very different kinds of music." 

Thanks to the use of a Maestro synth, the band morphs modern psychedelic with retro rock of the 60's and 70's.  From Russia, June Hunters is a very new and young trio, without even a website or facebook page to reference, instead deciding to simply stream five tracks on Soundcloud.  Enjoy.

The Pass [Interview]

With influences from Justice, LCD Soundsystem, Daft Punk, and "the 80s with some 70's and 90's and great beats," troysnoise presents The Pass.  First mentioned here last September, The Pass built quite the blogosphere buzz last year promoting their Colors (video) and Burst albums.  With their next planned release targeted for early summer, they're back on the tour grind, previewing some of their newest work.  Catch them live under the cover of darkness, fog, and lasers this Friday night in NYC at Piano's.  Peep their brand new video for "Walk Away" and check out their entire album.

The Pass - "Out of Hand"

The Pass - "Treatment Of The Sun"

In anticipation of their New York visit, troysnoise discovered a bit more about The Pass' Will Roberts, and what fans can expect next from the Kentucky synth poppers. 

TN: When/Where did you guys meet and how long did it take to crank out the first finished product?

Me and Kyle met in high school in New Jersey.  After going separate ways we met back up to start the band in Louisvile while I was finishing up school.  We got Neil and Brian together to play some shows for our friends and ended up recording the Colors EP a month later. 

TN: What's the most underrated thing about seeing The Pass play live?

Click to read more ...

Futurebirds - Via Flamina EP

A handful of albums stayed on the troysnoise rotation in 2010;  Futurebirds' Hampton's Lullaby boasts that honor.  "Covered in kudzu and swathed in a blanket of humidity, spanish moss, feedback and reverb exists Futurebirds; six Georgia natives who currently call Athens home.”

Less than two weeks ago the Georgia boys released a wonderful EP entitled Via Flamina, a four song collection of new originals and inspired covers.  Check out the other two tracks here.  Upcoming tour dates listed below. 

Click to read more ...

Morning Teleportation - Expanding Anyway

At Brooklyn Bowl last night Morning Teleporation followed Nicos Gun's lead with a commanding and energetic performance.  Formed in 2005 in Bowling Green, Kentucky, "Morning T" delivers an eclectic array of sounds, and recently signed to Portland-based Glacial Pace Recordings after being discovered and sought out by Modest Mouse.

"From the beginning Morning T has built up a roller coaster of tumultuous rock 'n roll, featuring analog synths, heartfelt vocals, and sudden changes woven through psychedelia, electronica, and deep-space pickin' n' grinnin'.

With the combined energy of a basement party, a back-room jam session, and a futuristic hootenanny, Morning Teleportation's raucous, off-kilter explosion of enthusiasm is guaranteed to raise a smile. The band's first album, entitled Expanding Anyway, is out now."

Tiger - Lead Vocals, Guitars, Synth, Banjo & Talk Box

Travis - Keys, Syntheziers, Bass Rhodes, Percussion, Shout'ns

Paul - Bass, Keys, Shout'ns, Percussion, Shimmy Shimmy

Tres - Drums & Percussion, Shout'ns, Squirrel Call, Masked Badger

Morning Teleportation - "Expanding Anyway"

Bear Hands - Burning Bush Supper Club

"best enjoyed with the lights off"

As it goes, there's a tendency to compare a band you hear to other more familiar ones.  Bear Hands and their hook-filled indie rock LP, Burning Bush Supper Club, sound like an up-tempo version of Spoon meets Local Natives and supplanted by Luke Steele's (of Empire Of The Sun) powerful vocals. 

The gradual integration of keyboard, samplers, and programmed drums into their sound has helped propel Bear Hands beyond being simply hometown heroes.  Pitchfork put it best when reviewing Burning Bush Supper Club a few months ago, "this was the album that MGMT's Congratulations should have been, one that sharpens the lush, hedonistic surrealism of reverb-laden psych-rock into tightly focused anthems that are just anarchic enough as to be unpredictable."

Bear Hands - "High Society"

and I said no no no / I am engaged to be alone

Bear Hands - "Crime Pays"  (video)

Bear Hands - "Tablasaurus"  (hope they've admitted to sampling the Catch Me If You Can theme music)

Go on and get all of Burning Bush Supper Club.

Moon Duo - "Mazes"

Inspired by the legendary duo of John Coltrane (American jazz saxophonist/composer) and Rashied Aliby (avant-garde jazz drummer), Moon Duo was formed in 2009 and has their first full-length album due out next month.  The eight-track Mazes, recorded in San Fran and mixed in Berlin, will be delivered courtesy of Sacred Bones and early indications suggest greaaaat success.

"Utilizing primarily guitar, keyboards, and vocals, the Duo plays space against form to create a primeval sound experience." The below title track, "Mazes," follows that mold as Moon Duo has slightly turned the corner from their previously dark and goth-like EP releases, transitioning to a psych meets American rock form.

Moon Duo is well on their way to a prodigious ascent.

Moon Duo - "Mazes"

Give a gander to the info below to find out about the Mazes' upcoming tour and rumored tracklist.

Click to read more ...

James Pants

"More noise and wailing guitars," so says James Pants of his self-titled LP that's due out within the next few months.  He released this single, "Alone," as a preview.  Within this great new track I'm hearing unexpected influences, a combination of Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti and No Age's fuzzy electro-pop.  This track is another example of his wide-ranging talents and lack of hesitation to morph elements of different genres.

James Pants - "Alone"

The timing was odd, but this week was the planned unveiling of our second feature (the first being Monday Facelifts) called Back Track, showcasing songs from more than six months ago that you may have missed, and shouldn't have.  James Pants and "Driftwood" was going to be the first, without realizing his single release would be this week also.  Now you can compare the new and "old."

Join me in welcoming the newest contributing member of troysnoise, writing under the moniker of R. Mutt, and providing the below James Pants reco. 

BACK TRACK

James Pants - "Driftwood"

Driftwood is the opening track off a 6 songs EP New Tropical, released in July 2010. Pants noted that the EP was produced "in warm weather in 2009," pulling sounds from all over the place.  His music is "all beats and little melodies," says the artist.  Driftwood has a very hip-hop sound and and I like it because it prepares me to be storming to maybe a rooftop or bbq or something.

-R. Mutt

Nicos Gun

~ 2011 Band to Watch ~

Transcending generations and transgressing genres, Nicos Gun flips the music world on its head, harmonizing classic, funk, and psychedelic rock into prodigious melodies that electrify and inspire.

After sitting on this post for weeks, it's finally time to unveil our first "2011 Band to Watch."  What we're coining their lead single, put your lighters up for "we are fluorescent."

With Flight of the Conchords type creativity (NG lead vocals Barney even resembles Brit), Nicos Gun's talents are far-reaching, with vocals akin to Prince, MGMT, and Empire of the Sun, to psychedelic undertones reminiscent of Ghostland Observatory, while all being rooted in bass and guitar true to pure rock, it's an eclectic collection of phenomenally orchestrated sounds.

"Decadent Boy" starts with a Stones-like riff and develops into a 60's flower power classic

Murray Hewitt is smiling somewhere

Nicos Gun - "Dirty Girl"

We had the chance to hear some rough cuts of a few unreleased tracks, and it's obvious there's plenty more where this came from.  In the meantime check out the other four public tracks not included here at the Nicos Gun bandcamp page.

Their bloodstained video for "we are fluorescent" spent almost two weeks on YouTube before being taken down a few days ago due to the inclusion of some "violent" scenes.  Let's hope a revised cut returns to the public eye soon.  As if on cue, a video for "Party Cult" hit the web this week, more than doing its part to keep us captivated. 

With their debut full length set to drop in the near future, it'll become increasingly obvious, Nicos Gun is the modern cool.

For you New Yawkas, roll through the LES Saturday, Dec. 11th, 10pm @ Fontana's to check Nicos Gun out live.

Keith Canisius - This Time It's Our High

This is American-born now Copenhagen-based Keith Canisius's third full length album, and perhaps a career-defining one.  Canisius has been at it since 2006, with Waves (2009) and Ferris Wheel Makeout (2008) preceding this October release. 

"First Tambourine Love" and "Jimmy" are my top two so far, but the entire track list is superior beginning to end.  The album finds a way to perfectly glide through ambient, psychedelic, and shoegaze tones, while alternating between uptempo and laid back rhythms, keeping you unexpecting.  "Jimmy" lasts over 7 minutes and still feels as if it's been cut short.  Think Deerhunter meets Toro y Moi.

Enjoy.

Keith Canisius - "First Tambourine Love"

Old Arc E.P.

~ Emerging Talent ~

As promised, here's the other exciting project Baromet told us about last week.  Old Arc is a collabo between Baromet's Stefen Lazer and his buddy Austin Lee, both out of Santa Cruz, California.  Released in July, this is their debut EP and features five tracks.  Heavy synth and heated vocals in "Chief of Sun" create an awesome version of what should be the soundtrack to the next (or the first) Native American reservation murder mystery.  I especially dig the transition around the 2:38 mark which leads to a loop back of the chorus.  In early October Old Arc also released a demo single, "Queens of Dusk," which you can check out along with the rest of their debut EP right here.

Old Arc - "Chief of Sun"            Old Arc - "Home"

Ghostland Observatory - Codename: Rondo

"Ghostland Observatory is not a band, but an agreement between two friends to create something that not only heals their beat-driven hearts, but pleases their rock ‘n roll souls."  -GO's myspace

It's finally here, last week Ghostland's 4th album, Codename: Rondo, their first since the somewhat disappointing Robotique Majestique in early '08, was released.  No letdown this time as each of these 10 new tracks shine in their own unique way.  Packed with the deep synths you've heard from them before, "Body Shop" introduces a cool rotation between that synth and lead-man Aaron Behren's vocals.  "Glitter" (link to a quality video) and "Miracles" are stand outs, but I haven't found the need to hit the next button on any track.  Below is the September trailer with the beginning of the identically named single "Codename: Rondo."  Also, stream the entire album from their myspace page.  Enjoy.

Dec. 17 in NYC @ Terminal 5, see you there