Truly different lo-fi disco indie-pop in the tradition of Apples in Stereo and Of Montreal. A Soft Kill is the third full-length album by the the one man band (Mario Hernandez) known as From Bubblegum To Sky. The hook-laden pop that may take three or four listens to stick. Using elements of Peggy March’s “I Will Follow Him” on the song “Say Goodbye” is a highlight here and then if you didn’t know better you’d swear that it’s Robert Schneider singing on “My Je M’appelle.” The Beach Boys production style meets Rubinoos guitar parts is all over “Even The Sunbeams.” So what’s with that name? As Mario puts it, “I chose the name From Bubblegum to Sky, because I didn’t want it to be like a “Mario Hernandez” thing. It would feel odd for me to see my name on a record like that. The things that people are doing to me, or I’m doing to them, or whatever experiences I’m having-that’s the band.” The smooth acoustic bounce of “Guest Relations” is a good tune, but the best song here is “The Flash” with it’s fuzz guitar melody and “ba ba ba” chorus. But other songs clearly miss the mark, notably “Captian Tennille,” “A Soft Kill” and “Flies on The King Of Failed.” The more it moves into twee shoegazer mode and away from pop melodies, it falls flat. Listen to the the entire Bubblegum To Sky album here. Want something different — check this out. Only the previous album is on CDBaby, but I expect this one to show up any day now.

MySpace | Eenie Meenie | CD Baby (last album) | E-Music

Listen to “I always fall apart”

The guitar pop of the Histrioniks have much in common with the Garage Rock Revival movement. Like a lot of other bands with echoing fuzz guitar leads and tambourine (like the Cynics and the Ugly Beats) they can be traced down to the late sixties. Now add to this mix the Lene Lovich-like vocals of Cat Levy. What comes out isn’t as retro sounding as Outrageous Cherry, but the organic minimalist quality of the songs make good listening. Immediately you’ll recognize this is great Beatnik pop music highlighted by the amazing “Too Black” with furiously pounding drums, monster guitar rhythms and Cat’s spoken/sung lyrics about suffocating memories “too black to see in.” The album is consistently good, “Shattered Youth” has elements of dance pop, and very much in the spirit of the B-52’s (without all that shiny optimism). The mystical “Miss” enters a more goth place and lovers of Bauhaus will appreciate the mope rock lyrics of “Misery.” The guitar work here is so compelling you get a reprise at the albums end. Well crafted, “Thin” is the epitome of music for a smokey dark room.

MySpace | The Histrioniks Website | CD Baby | Not Lame

Nelson Bragg normally spends his time as a drummer and percussionist for Brian Wilson’s band. While working on the legendary SMiLE album tour, he put together his solo CD “Day into Night.” It’s got a great opening with the rich harmonies in “Forever Days” that combine The Hollies and the California sound to something unique and wonderful. He tops that with the pristine “Tell Me I’m Wrong” with lush production and a hook that won’t leave your head. The album is split into two sides (“Day” and “Night”) and the folk-rock-pop combo is primarily on the Day side. The shimmering rhythm of acoustic guitar is hard to resist in “Return the Love You Take” and is comparable to the sweetness of The Posies’ “Dear 23” in feel. A Beach Boys-like vocals tribute makes it’s way on the Night side with “Death of Caroline” – it’s a beautiful song, about recovery from depression. The remaining tracks here, while very good don’t quite reach the highs of the earlier tracks, even though the ending “Turn The Darkness Into Gold” weaves CSNY and George Harrison into richly orchestrated ear candy. Overall an excellent release that shouldn’t be missed. 

MySpace | CD Baby | Itunes