A Place To Bury Strangers : "What We Don't See" (via Dead Oceans/Big Mouth Publicity/ Drowned In Sound /YouTube) DADRAS : "Mormon Disco" (via Friend of Friends/Soundcloud) Antigama : "Used To" (via Selfmadegod Records/Earpsplit PR/YouTube) Hey Mandible : "Missing Monet" (via Fort Lowell Records/Soundcloud) Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

New single from KEN mode ! "Blessed" is the first glimpse into the band's upcoming new release, Success .  Engineered by the one and only Steve Albini , (and if you check out the track you can certainly hear Albini's signature drum sound), the album is due to release mid-June and the shock and grunt of the lead single certainly goes the distance in terms of selling its promises of alienating and unbridled pigfuck -allegiant rock music.  While I wouldn't go so far as to say the torch has been passed from David Yow 's maniacal grasp, the muck and angst-fueled motion of KEN mode is worthy enough to at least sit alongside some of the finest albums to emerge Touch & Go and AmRep.  I'm very much looking forward to giving Success a spin or twelve.   "We can play this game a little bit longer/But we all know we're not really welcome here...  Oh no... " You can also view an album trailer here: All info, links and sounds have been broug...

I was saddened to learn this morning that Joe Walker , one of the three Fishtown area music critics whose viewpoints fueled the entertaining little web show called Breakfast at Sulimay's , has passed away at the age of 90.  Alongside fellow critics Bill Able and Ann Bailey , Mr. Walker was lively with witticism and anecdote, offering incite when he could and always giving fair consideration to what he was hearing.  He was unapologetic about how little he cared for contemporary pop, hip-hop or metal, but he consistently put across a willingness to listen, even when something he'd heard was not "my cup of tea."  Of the three voices, his was certainly my favorite and also the least dismissive. While the concept of Breakfast at Sulimay's had the embedded charm of being a senior citizen-led platform for critique pertaining to modern music, which in some ways allowed for a level of perspective not often heard in the vast corridor-riddled online world of pitchforks ,...

Because what's a year in music without some insane number of releases from Ty Segall ? This time he's sharing a side with King Tuff for a split live 12" titled Live At Pickathon , which features performances from the 2013 Pickathon Music Festival.  This is apparently the second installment in an ongoing series, the first of which featured Diarrhea Planet and Those Darlins . You can sample two tracks from each artist on the Soundcloud link below. All info and links are courtesy of Force Field PR. Ty Segall & King Tuff announce split Live at Pickathon 12" on Easy Sound Listen to two songs from the 12" now over at Pitchfork   These blistering performances are being released for the first time as part of Live At Pickathon vinyl series Pickathon Music Festival and Easy Sound Recording Company are excited to announce the second record in its limited pressed, vinyl-only Live At Pickathon series. Featuring songs by the prolific Ty Segall and King ...

With the rhythmic musculature of bands like Dub Trio and Triclops! and some of the space-related, progressive elements of a band like Russian Circles , NY IN 64 's "Maintaining Now, The Contact" is the latest single from the band's upcoming release, NY64 .  Structurally, there's some academia to its make-up, but there's a fluidity to the changes and the opening movement is really strong.  The interaction between the thick bass groove and the numerous guitar applications that thread through the rhythm section are really well-handled.  I'm interested to give this full album a listen. Check out the song: NY IN 64: New Jersey Instrumental Act Featuring You And I and East Of The Wall Members Releases Debut LP Details + Track NY64 To See April 7th Release Via Magic Bullet Records New Jersey's instrumental quartet, NY IN 64 -- featuring former members of You And I and current residents of East Of The Wall -- will release their recently compl...

Chastity Belt : "Cool Slut" (via Hardly Art/YouTube) Frank Rabeyrolles : "Third Skin (Demo)" (via Wool Recordings/Soundcloud) So Stressed : "Merv King & The Phantoms" (via Honor Press/ Noisey /YouTube) Crom Dubh : "Cutting Teeth II" (via Earsplit PR/Soundcloud) Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Have a very happy and safe St. Paddy's.  Sláinte. Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Taking a cue from Bauhaus ' "Dark Entries," the psych-fuzz duo White Hills has released a new single called "No Will."  This post-punk/gothic nod was pulled from the band's upcoming new release, Walks For Motorists , which will be out on April 6th via Thrill Jockey Records. Check out the track: After that, read up on the release.  All info, links and sounds were supplied by Thrill Jockey Records. Psych rockers White Hills share new track 'No Will' Taken from forthcoming new album Walks For Motorists out 6th April White Hills on tour throughout this April & May, including dates with Mudhoney "Demented, wigged out and stupendously mind-blowing" - Classic Rock "Crunchy psychedelia-imbued creep-rock featuring some growling heavily reverbed vocals and drums" - The 405 "Successfully melded disparate in uences and genres to bring to life their chilling and dystopian world view" - Shindig White H...

The Body & Thou You, Whom I Have Always Hated Thrill Jockey Records Released: 1.26.15 No Ripcord review Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

A little over a month ago, I received a package in the mail from Jason Deagan of Sweaters and Pearls Records , a label that specializes mostly in 7" single and EPs.  This specific area of interest connects directly to Deagan's other passion, which is his 7 Inches [Every Day] blog that reviews new 7" releases daily.   The contents of the package were as follows with a few words regarding each release: Harpoon Forever American Flag EP There's a resigned tone to much of Harpoon Fever 's 4-song EP American Flag , itself packed with Malkmus -laden slack rock that fully embraces the melodic persuasion of its 90s jump off.  While I wouldn't call the music lackadaisical, there's a charm or preciousness to it that enables my college flashbacks to surface with every strum of a guitar, especially true with the somber stride of "Slag Away" that's occasionally interrupted by a shift in tempo.  It's like a mild slap to the face, the recip...

So... "Let's Get It Started" is not a Black Eyed Peas cover. I just want to put out there right up front. This is the new single from a band called Bill Mountain . If you thought Bill Mountain might at least want to "get it started" with something Instead, what you have is a James Chance -inspired dance mutation that's in line with current post-punk retro-chuggers like Ed Schrader's Music Beat , DINOWALRUS and, to some extent, where Mi Ami left off with Steal Your Face . It's got the shuffling guitar strokes, a tolerable shriek and ritualistic urgency from a percussive standpoint.  Certainly there's energy and the sax lick stays with you.  You can listen to the track below: And when you're done listening, you can check out the info on Bill Mountain below, which was provided by Us/Them Group. Bill Mountain premiere first song from debut Mysterious rural Louisiana "Jungle Punk" band channeling early No Wave, art...

Just received news of a Kickstarter campaign aiming to fund a Melvins documentary.  Sound cool?  I think so.  The trailer, links and info were lovingly provided by the wonderful people over at Speakeasy PR & Marketing, so check it out.  MELVINS’ DOCUMENTARY, THE COLOSSUS OF DESTINY – A MELVINS TALE , LAUNCHES KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN RELEASE NEW TRAILER SAN FRANCISCO, March 9, 2015 – The filmmakers of the forthcoming Melvins’ documentary, The Colossus of Destiny – A Melvins Tale , have launched a Kickstarter campaign featuring artwork donated by Haze XXL , Brian Walsby , Arik Roper , Skinner and Mackie Osborne ( https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/26674096/the-colossus-of-destiny-a-melvins-tale ).   The film, which is currently under production with an anticipated early 2016 release, is the creation of Bob Hannam and Ryan Sutherby . The pair, who met through a mutual affection for the Melvins, began work on the officially authorized documentary in...

Were I forced to come up with a two-word summary of And So I Watch You From Afar 's newest single, "Wasps," those words would probably be "circular anthems."  The constant arpeggios and choral harmonizing are dizzying to say the least, a wasp in flight possibly the basis for its immediacy and motion.   You can listen to the song below. And So I Watch You From Afar is releasing a new album called Heirs on May 5th via Sargent House.  For information on the release, please scroll below.  All news, dates, music and links were provided by Us/Them Group.   And So I Watch You From Afar: tracks from forthcoming album Heirs cleared for posting Listen to & share "Wasps" HERE + "Run Home" HERE Northern Ireland's And So I Watch You From Afar premiered a new track from their forthcoming album Heirs yesterday via The Fader. The song "Wasps" is cleared for posting via Soundcloud HERE . ASIWYFA previously shared album t...

Some recent purchases: 20 Buck Spin Sleep Vol. 1 Tupelo Recording Company / Very Small Records Originally released: 1991 Reissued: 2014 The 20 Buck Spin subscription service let it be known one fine day that Sleep 's Vol. 1 , (the band's debut album), was available to purchase on vinyl.  While interested, I didn't jump on the opportunity right away.  A mere day or so later, all copies were sold and the good ol' "ah shit" lament followed.  But, 20 Buck Spin restocked the LP and, once notified, I picked it up.  I think it was about $18.   The LP is stored in a glossy sleeve that picks up fingerprints without mercy and a download card was included.  On the strength of "The Suffering" alone I would recommend picking this one up if you haven't already.   The Vinyl Closet North Wales, PA I had a gift certificate to spend.  So, I perused and purchased. Hüsker Dü Land Speed Record SST Records Originally released: 1981 Reiss...

The Crotals : "Never Sorry" (via Viral Propaganda PR/Tenacity Music/YouTube) Eternal Tapestry : "Mountain Primorose" (via Thrill Jockey Records/YouTube) Doldrums : "Loops" (via Sub Pop/ FACT Magazine /Soundcloud) The Helio Sequence : "Stoic Resemblance" (via Sub Pop/YouTube) James K : " (via Julian T. Schoen/ The Muse /Soundcloud) Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead

Can Can Heads Can Can Heads is Ruining the Classics (self-released) Released: 2.14.15 Can Can Heads is a Finnish noise rock band that recently decided to take recognizable hit songs and reinterpret them in a manner less style conscious and reverentially accurate than sloppily aggro and fit to mock in the spirit of fun.  Targeted for inspiration are Survivor , Michael Jackson , Van Halen and The MC5 , the songs retitled for humor's sake, ("Peel It" for instance instead of "Beat It.") Released digitally on Valentine's Day, Can Can Heads is Ruining the Classics is available to purchase through Bandcamp along with one of the best album summations I've ever read: "Planning this 'release' took as long as it took to record them. Recorded in mono with one track tape recorder PA-Pak 07/02/2015." Can Can Heads is Ruining the Classics by Can Can Heads Sincerely, Letters From A Tapehead