Radiohead fans worldwide have something to celebrate this week following the release of the debut album from Thom Yorke‘s new music project, Atoms for Peace. Other singles from new albums that officially dropped this week included Shout Out Louds, Grave Babies, Johnny Marr, The Mavericks, among others.
“Default” – Atoms For Peace from AMOK on XL Recordings (CD)
“Blue Ice” – Shout Out Louds from Optica (MP3 album)
Double-shot: “Illusions” – Shout Out Louds from Optica (MP3 album)
“Transmissions” – Deathfix from Deathfix on Dischord
“Anomaly” – Doldrums from Lesser Evil on Arbutus Records
Seattle’s Grave Babies Drop Second LP, Crusher
If you’re a fan of Pacific Northwest lo-fi goth, chances are you’ve heard the music of Seattle band Grave Babies. This week, the band, which formed in 2007, dropped their third album on Sub Pop offspring, Hardly Art, a label that has been signing up Seattle area bands aggressively over the past few years.
The band’s lead vocalist, singer/songwriter and guitarist, Danny Wahlfeldt, founded the band, bringing in keyboardist Tyler Robinson, drummer Keith Whiteman and bassist Mitch Saulsberry. Their songs are often about death wrapped in finely crafted melodies and harmonies. In addition to the double-shot of MP3 singles from Crusher, is yet another track (“Skulls”) via YouTube. In 2012, the band released their widely praised EP, Gothdammit.
“Over and Under Ground” – Grave Babies from Crusher (CD or vinyl) on Hardly Art
Double-shot: “No Fear” – Grave Babies from Crusher (CD or vinyl)
Johnny Marr’s Debut Solo Album, The Sharp Things and The Mavericks
Johnny Marr, the former guitarist for bands like The Smiths, Modest Mouse and The Cribs, finally got around to recording a long-anticipated solo LP, The Messenger. The album’s lead single, “Upstarts,” sports a progressive uptempo pop/rock wound, embellished by an ‘ohhh-ohhh-oh’ chorus, bright, brilliant guitar riffs, and rhythmic percussions. The CD version of the album is #22 on the Amazon charts today.
“Upstarts” – Johnny Marr from The Messenger (CD)
Double-shot: “The Right Thing Right” – Johnny Marr from The Messenger (CD)
“Lights” – The Sharp Things from Green Is Good
“Come Unto Me” – The Mavericks from In Time
Albums From Wayne Hancock, Girls Names and Woodpigeon
It’s great to see rockabilly as a genre holding its own in a music scene that is increasingly saturated by technologically advanced music. The title track from Wayne Hancock‘s new album is the type of song you’d play driving on Route 66 in a 68 Mustang with the top down.
“Ride” – Wayne Hancock from Ride on Bloodshot Records
The Girls Names‘ fresh single, “Pittura Infamante,” from the new LP, The New Life, sports an 80’s sound that reminds us of a cross between The Cure and The Police. Also listen to lead singles from new albums by Gold Fields, Mister Lies, and The Embassy.
“Pittura Infamante” – Girls Names from The New Life on Slumberland Records/Tough Love
“Children Should Be Seen, Not Heard” – Woodpigeon from Thumbtacks and Glue
Fresh Releases from Artists Gold Fields and Mister Lies
“Dark Again” – Gold Fields from Black Sun on Astralwerks
“Lupine” – Mister Lies from Mowgli on Lefse Records
Singles from Ivan & Alyosha, The Civil Wars & T Bone Burnett & Permanent Makeup
“On My Way” – Ivan & Alyosha from All the Times We Had on Dualtone Records
“Long Time Gone” – The Civil Wars & T Bone Burnett from A Place At The Table Soundtrack on Sensibility Music
“Not A Riot” – Permanent Makeup from The Void…It Creeps
