Category: emerging artists

Here are some indie debut albums, EPs and unsigned talent this past month that you might want to check out…

Poison Control Center “Sad Sour Future”

Upbeat indie pop by way of a lo-fi Weezer style with dissonant rhythms and cooing teen harmonies. A little like a junior version of Guided by Voices. The albums massive 17 track list is hit or miss, but you’ve got enough stand-outs to make it worth your time. I’ve posted the video  for “Being Gone” a week ago, but other tunes not to miss are: “Calling Card”,”Two Mountains” and “Friends in the Band.”
MySpace | Amazon | Listen to “Being Gone”

Galapaghost “Neptunes” EP

Galapaghost is the conception of singer/songwriter Casey Chandler. Being from Woodstock, he’s been making music since 14 and recently has released an EP of breezy folk tunes. “Aloner” is an effective opener, that recalls the Beach Boys and The Shins. The simple guitar and ukulele tunes work best here, and it loses some stream when he breaks out a synth for the title track. Listen to the gentle “Human Unkind” and “Don’t Go & Break My Heart.”
MySpace | Amazon

Annie Stevenson “2010” EP

Glasgow Scotland band that has a rotten name, but an interesting sound, equal parts of Blur, The Happy Mondays and The Clash. “Country Killer” is the most melodic tune of the bunch, with a steady beat and melodic chorus that builds very nicely. “TV Took My Soul” is a bit of punk pop with excellent buzzing guitar riffs.  “I’m The One You Hold” has a nice composition, but production is a bit rough. This is a band worth exploring and the EP is free online too, so give it a try.
MySpace | Free Download of “2010” EP

Shakedown at The Majestic EP

Shakedown at the Majestic features Chris Vermillion on guitar and lead vocals, Stephen Frandsen on bass and vocals, and Taylor Nimtz on drums and also providing vocals. We get catchy, danceable, stick-in-your head songs courtsey of this energetic unsigned Brooklyn band. The harmonies and minor chord shifts on “Bria” are sweet and compare well to Weezer, with gorgeous three part harmonies. The songwriting is strong on “Please, Lucia!” with it’s Beatles meets do-wop style that compares well with Teenage Fanclub. I was very impressed!
MySpace | Facebook  | YouTube video of “Please Lucia!”

Bodyface “Bias”

The combination of Jared Kerr, Joe Brennan and Dan Marsh bring you a heavy rock band that tries hard to channel Superdrag, but sounds closer to Extreme in spots. Either way “Get Away” is the album highlight, with a combination of  heavy riffs and solid vocals. The intense “Kill Her” and “I Love You Vampire” also have it’s moments, and the power ballad “Future No Hope” with it’s soft/hard vocal contrasts will impress you for sure.
MySpace | Album release TBA

Aaron Fox & the Reliables started as a collaboration between Aaron Fox, guitarist and singer/songwriter, and guitarist Mike Burns. Influences here are REM, Wilco, Crowded House, and Tom Petty and the album takes off with the jangle pop of “Over Again” similar to the Gin Blossoms. “False Alarm” continues the catchy standard rock vibe and “Get Down” sounds closer to those nineties indie college bands I loved back in the day. The production and musicianship are both first class here. A real gem buried in the middle of the album is the bouncy “Too Tired For Sleep,”  with a great chorus and strong guitar solo during the break. Unfortunately Fox’s vocals aren’t that distinguished and the remaining songs don’t have the hooks required to hold my attention, much less repeat listens. The Midwestern roots stylings dominate the albums second half, and a few songs drag on over five minutes. This band has a lot of potential, so I think some classic rock enthusiasts will be more forgiving than I am. A noteworthy debut.

My Space | CD Baby | Amazon

The Illinois band Daemon Familiar has plenty of raw talent here, one listen to the guitars on “Buddha’s Little Helper” and “Oprah” you can’t help think about Cheap Trick or Husker Du. Lead vocalist Pablo Mena has a clean light vocal that really contrasts with the much heavier guitar sound. Some songs are excellent examples of power pop and it works fine on the memorable “Kiss Me”and the catchy baseline on “Barnyard” are just fun to listen to. The song “All’s Forgotten” is wonderfully written and played, but could really use double tracking and stronger group harmonies (you barely here the other band members). Mena’s vocal is much better suited to the mid tempo ballads here like “Gcc”and “So Sad.” I suggest he chew broken glass and add a little more Tom Waits influence before trying to pull off a song like “Tales of Sad Ulysses.” The album also suffers a bit from lack of polish overall, but despite this you will be rewarded by the guitar gems sprinkled here (“Was”) and there (“Walkin’ Away”).

MySpace | CD Baby | Amazon

Canadian trio The Pretty Faces is not just a band, but a family unit with a passion for garage pop and new wave rock. They’ve toured on IPO and cites influences from Elvis Costello to Elliot Smith. The opening track “Right On The Money” pretty much describes the best this band has to offer, with a great tandem of guitars and melody. The follow up “Rib” has a decent rhythm and ringing guitar riffs sure to please. Lead vocal Jeph Thorslund does his best, but can’t mask his limited range on tracks like “Inch by Inch” and “Pistolera.” Hannah Thorslund fairs much better on the excellent “Elephant” – and it’s a shame she is only on one track. The title track gets closer to a full band effort with Jeph’s  Costello-like vocal and strong riffs taking equal credit. A good effort, but the band will need to improve on it. It’s recommended you cherry pick the “hits” here and encourage the band’s future musical development.

MySpace | CD Baby | Amazon